This week, the Missouri Department of Revenue began issuing what is referred to as “REAL ID”-compliant driver’s licenses. To give you a history of how we got here, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Congress passed the REAL ID Act. The goal of REAL ID was to set uniform baseline standards for state IDs and driver’s licenses. Since many of the 9/11 terrorists boarded planes with fraudulently-obtained IDs, Congress and Homeland Security pursued a more reliable process for verifying ID applicants and confirming they were in the country legally and are who they say they are.
As a Missourian from the Show-Me State, I had a healthy skepticism of REAL ID, given the federal government’s tendency to overreach, violate citizen’s privacy and generally misuse our information. We held out as long as possible, but a few years ago, it became clear the federal government was going to threaten Missourians’ ability to board planes or enter military bases and other federal installations if we didn’t comply with the REAL ID Act. Staring down a big problem, the Missouri Legislature passed a bill giving Missourians the option of getting a REAL ID-compliant state ID or keeping a non-compliant state ID. This gives folks with privacy concerns an option, while making sure those who want to get on a plane or enter a federal facility with their ID can. Fast forward to now, and the law the Legislature passed is finally being implemented.
The timeline for how this will work is important to keep in mind. Some form of REAL ID will be required for the reasons I already mentioned, beginning Oct. 1, 2020. That means a traditional Missouri driver’s license will not be accepted anymore at federal security checkpoints after that date. There are multiple options available to clear security at the airport or military bases. A U.S. passport, passport card or Department of Defense identification card will meet the REAL ID requirement. Also, of course, a new REAL ID-compliant Missouri driver’s license will work.
If you go that route, there are a few things you’ll need to prove: your identity, lawful status and Missouri residency, when you go to get your new license. At the very least, you’ll need a U.S. passport or birth certificate; your Social Security card or a W-2 form; and two proofs of residency, such as a voter registration card, utility bill or bank statement. You can find more details about what documents you’ll need at https://dor.mo.gov/drivers/real-id-information.
Once you get a new REAL ID, it will look a little different. In the future, your license will have a gold star in the upper right-hand corner or non-compliant cards will include “Not for REAL ID Purposes” in the corner. If you choose to replace your current, unexpired ID with a REAL ID license, you can apply for an early duplicate license, and Missouri law allows for a one-time waiver of the duplicate license fee. You’ll still pay license office processing fees, however.
Again, I want to reiterate, you will not be forced to get a REAL ID, and you don’t need a REAL ID to drive, vote or prove your age. Your current ID will work just fine at the airport until October of next year, and then you can keep a non-REAL ID-compliant license, if that’s what you want to do. Just know that after October 2020, you will need some form of REAL ID-compliant identification if you want to fly or get into a federal building or military base. If you need any help with this process or have any questions, please contact my office and we’ll do everything we can to help.
As always, I welcome your ideas, questions and concerns. You may contact me at the State Capitol as follows: (573) 751-1480, david.sater@senate.mo.gov or by writing to Sen. David Sater, Missouri State Capitol, Room 416, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
God bless and thank you for the opportunity to work for you in the Missouri Senate.